Can you up your archery skill by using the bullseye targets scattered around the land, or is it pretty much like every other combat skill where you have to actually hurt something for it to count, (as I suspect, I just want to verify this.)

Yep, you have to hurt stuff, or buy sessions from a trainer.

There is something similar at Angi's Hut. This is the only challenge that remains for my first build, except I've given up. One thing the reward isn't really worth it, another I now have 100 in archery, and yet another I can't seem to draw & aim fast enough.

I did all the challenges Angi gave me and I gained 5 points in archery. It's pretty fun. Her camp/hut can be found South East of Falkenreath, up on a mountain.

Use a lighter weight bow can help with the draw speed for her timed challenges. And if you do the tests before maxing out archery, you get a free skill point for each challenge. 6 free skill points isn't bad at all.

Thanks for the heads up about Angi.

I know I' not that bad, but when I was going for the last "far" target, and for the life of me could not get it. Seriously. My archery was at 91 or 92, yet what looked like sure hits would only get a "hey, watch it!" from Angi.

... Finally left her standing against that stump. I don't have time to waste on something so ridiculous.

How the heck did you manage that far, and minuscule target!!?

Aim at the bottom of the target. Arrows hit high.

Especially if you wait till youre 94 skill.

I finally got this done with my second character. Trick was to aim and hit the furthest target first.

As M'aiq will tell you, "Why do soldiers bother with target practice? One learns best by hitting real people."

^THIS

Angi's stuff is too hard. I got through the first challenge... but the timed challenge is ridiculously difficult. You're probably just better off shooting at live targets. I've heard getting high vantage points and laying into mammoths and giants is a good way to go (so long as they can't reach you).

I plan to go back and finish. The "Hit the far target" is giving me nightmares. My archery is close to 100, and I don't really need it, but I'd like to complete the challenges. People have said aim high, aim low..... I just want that far target!

Congrats to all the demigods that are fortunate enough to have "got it on my first shot".....